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Thyroid and broccoli: 9 Foods to Avoid with Hypothyroidism

9 Foods to Avoid with Hypothyroidism

What you eat can affect your thyroid gland as well as your body’s ability to use thyroid hormone. Learn which foods to avoid when managing hypothyroidism.

By Dennis Thompson JrMedically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD

Reviewed:

Medically Reviewed

Certain foods like fatty meat and cruciferous veggies may interfere with the production of thyroid hormone.

iStock

Hypothyroidism can be a tricky condition to manage, and what you eat can interfere with your treatment. Some nutrients heavily influence the function of the thyroid gland, and certain foods can inhibit your body’s ability to absorb the replacement hormones you may take as part of your thyroid treatment.

Having a thyroid condition is no picnic, but you’re not alone with this health issue. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of the population may end up dealing with a thyroid condition at some point in their lives. And thyroid issues can be sneaky: Of the nearly 20 million Americans living with the disease, as many as 60 percent don’t even realize they have it.

As with many health conditions, some factors are out of your control, including your family history and the environment around you. But diet also plays a prominent role — and since you’re the one in charge of your plate, you can decide which thyroid-friendly foods to choose.

Some items on this list may strike you as odd, like fiber and coffee, because for many other diets they’re considered ‘healthy’ or ‘safe’ picks. You can still enjoy these foods groups, but moderating your intake is a good idea when managing hypothyroidism.

But many of the others to watch out for already fall into the no-no category as part of a smart diet, so skipping them, or at least cutting way back, is definitely a no-brainer. These include fried fast-food meals, salty processed foods, sugary treats, such as pastry, cake, cookies, and ice cream, and excessive alcohol.

So while there’s no such thing as a “hypothyroidism diet” that will make you well, eating smart can help you feel better despite the condition. Here are nine foods to limit or avoid as you manage hypothyroidism:

8

Foods With Soy, Including Edamame, Tofu, and Miso

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There’s long been concern over the potential negative effects that certain compounds in soy — called isoflavones — may have on the thyroid. Some researchers believe that too much soy may increase a person’s risk for hypothyroidism. A study published in March 2019 in Scientific Reports, however, found that soy has no effect on thyroid hormones and very modestly raises thyroid stimulating hormone levels.

So there are no specific dietary guidelines, but some research does suggest that consumption of soy may interfere with your ability to absorb thyroid medication. For that reason, you may want to wait four hours after eating soy-based foods before taking your regular dose. Check with your doctor to see what’s best for you.

9

Cruciferous Vegetables Like Broccoli and Cauliflower

Natasa Mandic/Stocksy

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, are full of fiber and other nutrients, but they may interfere with the production of thyroid hormone if you have an iodine deficiency. So if you do, it’s a good idea to limit your intake of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, and bok choy, because research suggests digesting these vegetables may block the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine, which is essential for normal thyroid function. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, you would need to consume a significant amount of cruciferous vegetables for it to truly impact iodine uptake.

If you have been diagnosed with both hypothyroidism and iodine deficiency, there are some things you can do to make these vegetables less harmful. Cooking them can reduce the effect that cruciferous vegetables have on the thyroid gland, and limiting your intake of these (cooked) vegetables to 5 ounces a day may help as well, since that amount appears to have no adverse effect on thyroid function.

10

Gluten, Found in Bread and Pasta

Ina Peters/Stocksy

Those with hypothyroidism may want to consider minimizing their intake of gluten, a protein found in foods processed from wheat, barley, rye, and other grains, says Ruth Frechman, RDN, a dietitian in the Los Angeles area and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And if you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten can irritate the small intestine and may hamper absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medication.

An article published in May 2017 in the journal Endocrine Connections noted that hypothyroidism and celiac disease are often present together, and while no research has demonstrated that a gluten-free diet can treat thyroid conditions, you may still want to talk to a doctor about whether it would be worth eliminating gluten, or getting tested for celiac disease. A study published in July 2019 in Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes found that a gluten-free diet may have clinical benefits for women with thyroid disease.

If you do choose to eat gluten, be sure to choose whole-grain varieties of bread and pasta, which are high in fiber and other nutrients and can help improve bowel irregularity, a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Also be sure to take your hypothyroidism medication several hours before or after eating high-fiber foods, to prevent them from interfering with the absorption of your synthetic thyroid hormone.

11

Fatty Foods Such as Butter, Meat, and All Things Fried

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Fats have been found to disrupt the body’s ability to absorb thyroid hormone replacement medicines, says Stephanie Lee, MD, PhD, associate chief of endocrinology, nutrition, and diabetes at Boston Medical Center and an associate professor at the Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts.

Fats may also interfere with the thyroid’s ability to produce hormone as well. Some healthcare professionals recommend that you cut out all fried foods and reduce your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat.

12

Sugary Foods Like This Delicious Chocolate Cake

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Hypothyroidism can cause the body’s metabolism to slow down, Frechman says. That means it’s easy to put on pounds if you aren’t careful. “You want to avoid foods with excess amounts of sugar because it’s a lot of calories with no nutrients,” she says. It’s best to reduce the amount of sugar you eat or try to eliminate it completely from your diet.

13

Processed Foods in Packages and the Frozen Aisle

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“Processed foods tend to have a lot of sodium, and people with hypothyroidism should avoid sodium,” Frechman says. Having an underactive thyroid increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure, and too much sodium further increases this risk.

Read the “Nutrition Facts” label on the packaging of processed foods to find options lowest in sodium. People with an increased risk for high blood pressure should restrict their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams a day, according to the American Heart Association.

14

Excess Fiber From Beans, Legumes, and Vegetables

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Getting enough fiber is good for you, but too much can complicate your hypothyroidism treatment. The government’s Daily Guidelines for Americans currently recommends that adults up to age 50 should take in 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. Amounts of dietary fiber from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes that go above that level affect your digestive system and can interfere with absorption of thyroid hormone replacement drugs.

If you’re on a high-fiber diet, ask your doctor if you need a higher dose of thyroid medication. Your maintenance dose may need to be increased if you aren’t absorbing enough medication.

15

Coffee: Time Your First Cup Carefully in the Morning

Julia Sudnitskaya/Shutterstock

Per a study in the journal Thyroid, caffeine has been found to block absorption of thyroid hormone replacement. “People who were taking their thyroid medication with their morning coffee had uncontrollable thyroid levels, and we couldn’t figure it out,” says Dr. Lee. “I now have to be very careful to tell people, ‘Only take your medication with water.'” You should wait at least 30 minutes after taking your medication before having a cup of joe.

16

Alcohol Doesn’t Play Well With Your Thyroid

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Alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on both thyroid hormone levels in the body and the ability of the thyroid to produce hormone, according to a study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Alcohol appears to have a toxic effect on the thyroid gland and suppresses the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone. Ideally, people with hypothyroidism should cut out alcohol completely or drink in careful moderation.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that rice contains gluten. It does not. Everyday Health regrets the error.

Effect of broccoli sprouts on thyroid function, haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats with thyroid imbalance

. 2018 Jan;97:82-90.

doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.098.

Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Paweł Paśko 
1
, Mirosław Krośniak 
2
, Ewelina Prochownik 
2
, Małgorzata Tyszka-Czochara 
2
, Maria Fołta 
2
, Renata Francik 
3
, Jakub Sikora 
4
, Mateusz Malinowski 
4
, Paweł Zagrodzki 
2

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: paskopaw@poczta. fm.
  • 2 Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
  • 3 Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
  • 4 Institute of Agriculture Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 116b, 30-149 Kraków, Poland.
  • PMID:

    29080462

  • DOI:

    10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.098

Paweł Paśko et al.

Biomed Pharmacother.

2018 Jan.

. 2018 Jan;97:82-90.

doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.098.

Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Authors

Paweł Paśko 
1
, Mirosław Krośniak 
2
, Ewelina Prochownik 
2
, Małgorzata Tyszka-Czochara 
2
, Maria Fołta 
2
, Renata Francik 
3
, Jakub Sikora 
4
, Mateusz Malinowski 
4
, Paweł Zagrodzki 
2

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2 Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
  • 3 Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
  • 4 Institute of Agriculture Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 116b, 30-149 Kraków, Poland.
  • PMID:

    29080462

  • DOI:

    10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.098

Abstract

Broccoli sprouts may exert a negative influence on thyroid function as they are a rich source of glucosinolates, in particular glucoraphanin. Under the study in a long-term experiment broccoli sprouts were tested as an element of rats diet, combined with deficient iodine, or sulfadimethoxine ingestion – two models of hypothyroidism. Evaluations were performed for serum TSH and thyroid hormones completed with analyzes of selected haematological, biochemical and immunological (IL-6, IL-10) parameters, as well as cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). A thermographic analysis was conducted to provide auxiliary indicators for determining a potential thyroid dysfunction under the specific experimental conditions. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 remained unchanged following broccoli sprouts ingestion, which was even found to have a protective effect against sulfadimethoxine induced thyroid damage. Moreover, TR activity significantly increased in response to sprouts ingestion. In animals with hypothyroidism, broccoli sprouts were found to exert a beneficial influence on the antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland. In comparison to the rats with iodine deficiency, broccoli sprouts addition to the diet was observed to decrease IL-6 level. No significant differences in IL-10 concentration were determined. Neither addition of broccoli sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC and PLT levels, and it may adversely interfere with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates.


Keywords:

Brassica vegetables; Broccoli sprouts; Hypothyroidism; Immunology; Iodine deficiency; Thyroid gland.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

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MeSH terms

Substances

Healthy foods that are actually bad – July 3, 2022

1

Citrus juice

Citrus juices are famous for their health benefits, and only the deaf have not heard about vitamin C in their composition, but a study published in the Journal Clinical Oncology, showed that people who lean on citrus juice and fruits have an increased risk of developing melanoma. This risk is increased due to natural compounds called psoralens. They absorb ultraviolet radiation, which in turn can increase DNA damage from UV radiation. However, experts note that psoralens in citrus fruits do not cause melanoma by themselves. Here you need a combination of psoralens and significant exposure to ultraviolet radiation. That is, roughly speaking, drinking grapefruit juice while lying in a solarium, you will harm yourself much more.

Still, most questions about citrus fruits are about allergies.

— The harm of citrus fruits is more often caused by food allergies due to the territorial foreignness of these fruits for the population of Russia, says gastroenterologist Veronika Cheraneva. – Also, the sour taste of citrus fruits stimulates the formation of digestive juices, especially hydrochloric acid of the stomach, which can provoke an exacerbation of gastritis.

Veronika Cheraneva — gastroenterologist, nutritionist at the New Hospital. Specialist in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, dysbacteriosis, flatulence, colitis, constipation, esophagitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

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2

Broccoli

No matter how useful broccoli may seem, unfortunately, it affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, because, like all cruciferous vegetables, it is by nature a goitrogen – a substance that suppresses the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and leads to goiter.

In addition, the researchers found that broccoli contains thiocyanates. This compound is very dangerous because it leads to hyperthyroidism, which causes weight gain, hair loss and rapid fatigue. All this can be achieved if you seriously exceed the consumption rate. But where is the line that should not be crossed? One study described a case of extreme myxedema (which itself is an extreme form of hypothyroidism) in an 88-year-old woman who ate about one and a half kilograms of raw bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage) daily for several months to control diabetes.

There is also a study that confirms that people who take blood-thinning medications need to be careful with broccoli. The thing is that broccoli contains vitamin K, which can affect the effectiveness of drugs.

Doctors recommend excluding cabbage from the diet if your gastrointestinal tract is disturbed (in this case, you can only eat boiled cabbage), you have thyroid disease (cabbage contains large amounts of iodine), an exacerbation or inflammation of an ulcer (cabbage can cause a worsening condition). In people with impaired pancreatic function and enzyme deficiency, fresh cabbage will cause severe flatulence, discomfort and pain in the intestines.

– People with gastrointestinal problems should be more careful with it. For example, if you have flatulence, bloating, pain, it is clear that the consumption of sauerkraut is not recommended, says nutritionist Irina Toropygina. – It all depends on individual sensitivity and tolerance. In any case, do not abuse the cabbage. The recommended portion for a healthy adult is no more than 150 grams per day.

Irina Toropygina — dietician, specialist in functional integrative nutrition, DNA testing specialist.

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3

Curren up

-beets, despite many positive properties (improves digestion, reduces the level of “poor” blood in the blood), can harm the body, ”says the dietitian Irina Borodina. – Do not get carried away with either raw or boiled beets for gastritis with high acidity, as it can further increase the acidity of the stomach. Also, beetroot contains a large amount of calcium oxalate, so it should be used with caution in patients with urolithiasis.

Irina Borodina — dietician of the Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention, PhD, first category general practitioner.

Beets are high in sugar, so diabetics should limit their intake. For those who suffer from osteoporosis (or are prone to it), it is also better not to eat beets once again – they interfere with the absorption of calcium. Well, beets will only increase any intestinal disorders.

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4

Dark Chocolate

Cadmium is harmful to the kidneys behind the delicious taste of cocoa in dark chocolate. Yes, compared to other harmful heavy metals (like arsenic) it’s not as bad, but long-term exposure to cadmium, even in small amounts, can be dangerous as it builds up in the body. And our body, as the researchers found out, needs from ten to thirty years to digest cadmium. Exposure to excess cadmium through food has a significant impact on kidney health by interfering with reabsorption in the kidney filter element.

In addition, the less cocoa there is in chocolate and the more sugar and fillers, the sooner all its benefits tend to zero. Flavorings, stabilizers and dyes increase, for example, the risk of cancer and pathologies of internal organs.

Immunity is also threatened by a large amount (even of high quality) of chocolate. Caffeine in large doses leads to tachycardia, anxiety and high blood pressure. Men with a sweet tooth should remember that due to eating tiles and bars in large quantities, gland tissues begin to grow and sexual functions are disturbed. In addition, the level of glucose in the blood rises – a direct road to obesity.

– Over time, the body’s sensitivity to insulin decreases, there is so much glucose in the blood that it is not absorbed and does not enter the cell, which begins to starve. In response to this, a person eats even more sweets, says gastroenterologist Galina Bartashevich. – Carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed, there is a lack of trace elements, for example, chromium, and for dessert – also psychological dependence due to the fact that sweet leads to the production of the hormone of pleasure – serotonin. Excessive consumption of sweets leads not only to carbohydrate dependence, but also to obesity, diabetes.

Galina Bartashevich — gastroenterologist of the highest category, pediatric gastroenterologist, nutritionist, candidate of sciences.

You shouldn’t give up sweets completely either. The main thing is to control yourself. For example, WHO recommends consuming a maximum of 50 grams of pure sugar per day (preferably less): this is a half-liter bottle of cola, a bag of nut-fruit mixture, five teaspoons of chocolate paste or 1.3 kilos of pasta.

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5

Green tea

Green tea contains catechins (100 to 200 mg per cup), which are powerful antioxidants, speed up metabolism and promote weight loss, strengthen the heart and even prevent the formation of cancer cells.

But there are three groups of people who are not recommended to drink tea often. First, these are patients suffering from gastric problems.

— If you have gastrointestinal diseases, be sure to consult your doctor. Of the contraindications, it can be gastritis, cholelithiasis. Any teas with certain properties cause an increased outflow of bile, says nutritionist Inna Zorina. – Therefore, if you have cholelithiasis, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer and other classic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to consult a specialist. One or two cups a day between meals will only benefit. The main thing is not to abuse it.

Inna Zorina — dietician-nutritionist, weight correction coach, healthy nutrition specialist.

Experts also advise patients with atherosclerosis and hypertension to give up strong green tea. This is due to the same theophylline and caffeine that excite the central nervous system. When the cerebral cortex becomes excited, the blood vessels constrict, which can lead to the formation of blood clots in the brain.

The third group is those suffering from insomnia. This is where the energizing effect of caffeine comes into play. Sometimes even one cup of tea at night is enough for the brain to start working actively, the pulse quickened, and you could not fall asleep. In order not to disturb falling asleep, experts advise to finish tea drinking a couple of hours before bedtime, and for older people to refuse tea altogether in the afternoon.

The maximum recommended serving of green tea per day is up to four cups.

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1

Bran

Useful elements in bran are in order. Here you have magnesium with potassium, and selenium with iron, and various vitamins (E, B1, B2, B6 and PP), but the main thing is fiber. She will saturate in no time, and improve digestion, and speed up metabolic processes. The main thing is to choose the right bran. They are of two types: loose and granular. And loose is better. Because during production, flavor enhancers, flour, food additives, sugar or salt can be added to the pressed bran. Do you need it? According to doctors, the best bran is hard, unremarkable in appearance (yellow-gray), without bright tastes and odors. But whatever bran you choose, don’t forget that it’s not food. Doctors pay attention to the fact that bran is a source of dietary fiber, and the norm of their consumption is about 30 grams per day.

— Bran can be an additive to the diet in case of fiber and dietary fiber deficiency, when you can’t eat at least 500 grams of various vegetables during the day, says gastroenterologist Veronika Cheraneva. – If your diet has enough greens, vegetables and fruits, it is not necessary to use bran, they will not bring additional benefits. In addition, it is important that the bran is thoroughly ground, does not contain coarse particles that scratch the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

The recommended amount of bran is one tablespoon per day, the maximum allowable values ​​are three to four tablespoons per day. What can cause overeating? Since bran is fiber and dietary fiber, then the consequences of overeating it can be imagined by anyone who at least once overdoes it with vegetables and fruits.

In addition, experts recommend that patients with gastroduodenitis, cholecystitis and gastritis first consult with their doctor, who will determine whether they can even add bran to their diet.

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2

Rice cakes

— Rice cakes, a product of a simple, understandable composition, can be an alternative to ordinary bread, especially convenient for hiking and traveling: light, can be stored for a long time, well saturates due to calorie content (315 kcal per 100 g) and dietary fiber, says Veronika Cheraneva. – Rice cakes can be used in a gluten-free diet for patients with celiac disease. However, if consumed in excess, they can provoke flatulence and constipation, so it is important to monitor the drinking regime when eating bread.

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3

Granola

At one time, granola was (and still is trying to maintain its position) a popular breakfast or snack. And all because it was believed to lower cholesterol, regulate digestion, help lose weight, improve heart function, saturate with energy, prevent anemia, and contribute to the normal functioning of organs. And this is not a complete list of its magical properties.

— Granola is oat flakes or flakes of other cereals that have undergone additional processing, says Veronika Cheraneva. – Flakes are often fried with the addition of butter, sugar syrup or honey, the composition may also contain dried fruits, candied fruits, dried berries, and more. Granola is a complete dessert high in simple carbohydrates, an example of a quick and high-calorie breakfast. The long-term benefit of regular granola consumption is questionable. Whole oat porridge with the addition of berries and fruits will be healthier and provide energy for a long time.

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4

Low Fat Spreads

Low Fat Spreads worked vegetable oils. They also contain trans fats – true guides to inflammation, heart disease and obesity.

— Trans fats practically do not participate in human metabolism, disrupt the lipid profile and can lead to cardiovascular diseases, — says nutritionist Irina Borodina. – According to WHO recommendations, trans fats should account for no more than 1% of total calories (average 2.2 grams, acceptable limit at 2000 kcal). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fast food (especially hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and so on) remains the leader in the content of trans fats and saturated fatty acids. To find trans fats in foods, you need to look carefully at the label: words like “margarine”, “vegetable or cooking fat”, “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat” can say this.

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5

Broccoli

No matter how useful broccoli may seem, unfortunately, it affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, because, like all cruciferous vegetables, it is by nature a goitrogen – a substance that suppresses the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and leads to goiter.

In addition, the researchers found that broccoli contains thiocyanates. This compound is very dangerous because it leads to hypothyroidism, which causes weight gain, hair loss and rapid fatigue. All this can be achieved if you seriously exceed the consumption rate. But where is the line that should not be crossed? One study described a case of extreme myxedema (which itself is an extreme form of hypothyroidism) in an 88-year-old woman who ate about one and a half kilograms of raw bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage) daily for several months to control diabetes.

There is also a study that confirms that people who take blood-thinning medications need to be careful with broccoli. The thing is that broccoli contains vitamin K, which can affect the effectiveness of drugs.

Doctors recommend excluding cabbage from the diet if your gastrointestinal tract is disturbed (in this case, you can only eat boiled cabbage), you have thyroid disease (cabbage contains large amounts of iodine), an exacerbation or inflammation of an ulcer (cabbage can cause a worsening condition). In people with impaired pancreatic function and enzyme deficiency, fresh cabbage will cause severe flatulence, discomfort and pain in the intestines.

– People with gastrointestinal problems should be more careful with it. For example, if you have flatulence, bloating, pain, it is clear that the consumption of sauerkraut is not recommended, says nutritionist Irina Toropygina. – It all depends on individual sensitivity and tolerance. In any case, do not abuse the cabbage. The recommended portion for a healthy adult is no more than 150 grams per day.

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6

Kefir

Kefir contains proteins, vitamins A (increases the elasticity of skin and hair), C (strengthens immunity and performance), beta-carotene, the amino acid tryptophan (resistance to stress), a whole range of B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium (strengthen the skeleton and prevent the development of senile fragility of bones) and others.

– A glass of kefir contains 250 mg of calcium, which is quite a lot, given the daily allowance, – says nutritionist Svetlana Solomeina. – The established level of requirement for adults averages 1000 mg per day, for the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers, this figure increases to 1200, 1300 and 1400 mg, respectively. Another issue is that the average calcium intake in Russia is not enough – according to statistics, it is about 750 mg per day.

But even if kefir was recommended to you for medical reasons (it is advised for dysbacteriosis, liver diseases, diabetes, autoimmune and allergic diseases, gastritis with low acidity and constipation), you should not lean on it. First, sour milk is a highly allergenic product. An allergy to kefir can appear in both children and adults, and manifests itself in a variety of ways – from an elementary rash to anaphylactic shock. The reaction is provoked by milk protein and kefir yeast. Secondly, kefir can harm the body of people suffering from chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

— Kefir is contraindicated for people with high acidity of gastric juice. Also, kefir is prohibited for gastric and duodenal ulcers, for hyperacid gastritis or pancreatitis, says Svetlana Solomeina. – Along with other products based on fungal cultures, it is better to exclude kefir for patients with gastrointestinal diseases, thrush.

Healthy people with normal acidity should not be afraid of serious deviations in the pH level, heartburn and other troubles due to kefir. If it somehow affects the internal acidity of the body, then it is insignificant: you simply cannot drink so much kefir that the pH level rises above eight or drops below six (normal blood acidity is 7.35–7.45 pH).

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7

Plant-based milk

Plant-based milk does not contain lactose, lactose intolerance has recently become a direct trend. It is also less fat, it contains vitamins (for example, C and E) and plant estrogens, which reduce the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood, and with it the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But it’s not all that obvious.

— It is important to understand that plant-based milk is very often classified as a sweet dessert drink, says healthy nutrition expert Marina Makisha. – Therefore, when buying plant-based milk, it is always important to look at the composition, the position “carbohydrates”. If carbohydrates are 3-4 grams per 100 milliliters of drink, then, in principle, this is normal. But if you see 8-12 grams of carbohydrates per 100 milliliters in the composition, it is important to understand that this is almost the same as in sweet soda.

You can also be allergic to plant-based milk. Especially on soy and nut (almond, hazelnut and others). The proteins in plant milk are incomplete and unable to provide the human body with the necessary amino acids in the same way that cow’s milk does. Well, plants also tend to accumulate herbicides and pesticides, which can get into milk.

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